Personal Development (inc Relationships and Health Education)

Intent - What Do We Aspire for Our Children?

Our Curriculum Intent for Personal Development

Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education, which includes Relationships Education, encompasses a range of essential skills, knowledge, and attributes that contribute to various aspects of a child’s development. Consisting of both statutory and non-statutory elements of learning, as recommended by the DfE, PSHE serves as a framework for fostering positive behaviour, promoting mental health and well-being, building resilience and facilitating academic achievement. It equips children with the necessary skills to navigate the online world safely, develop healthy and secure relationships, interpret media messages critically, challenge extreme views and develop skills and attributes needed for present and future situations.

The provision of PSHE in our school aligns with our broader objectives of nurturing confident and successful learners who possess creativity, resourcefulness, and problem-solving abilities. The school’s curriculum and culture prioritise the social and emotional development of pupils throughout all subject areas. Our PSHE program is designed around recurring themes, that follow a spiral curriculum approach, to achieve the following objectives:

1. Provide students with the necessary knowledge and empower them to develop self-esteem, confidence, and self-awareness, enabling them to make informed choices and decisions.
2. Foster the growth of social skills and social awareness among students, encouraging and supporting their interactions with others.
3. Help students make sense of their personal and social experiences, providing them with a framework for understanding their lives.
4. Promote responsible attitudes towards maintaining good physical and mental health, highlighting the importance of a safe and healthy lifestyle.
5. Support the development of effective interpersonal relationships and foster a caring attitude towards others.
6. Encourage students to care for the environment and take responsibility.
7. Assist students in understanding and managing their emotions, building resilience, and developing independence as curious problem solvers.
8. Promote an understanding of how society operates, including knowledge of laws, rights and responsibilities.

We recognise the strong connection between students’ health, well-being, and academic progress. The essential skills and positive attitudes developed through comprehensive Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education play a crucial role in ensuring that children become effective learners.